Looking to buy a lens...any suggestions?

[PhotobearSam]

I am purchasing a Canon 40D at the end of the months...(I am getting $3500 back on my taxes...Yeah me!!!) and I was looking at getting the 17-85 lens with it...


BUT,
I was at a Dance recital for my niece and I was sitting in the first row with my Canon S5IS and could not get a good shot even with the aperture at 3.5...There was not enough light.

The lens is EF-S 17-85MM f4-5.6 IS USM. Now I am seriously wondering if the 4-5.6 will give me enough speed when taking pcs of her dance recitals or of Ringuette games in an arena...Please tell me what you think.

Also, I really need the 17 end of the lens and I could deal with a minimum of 70 at the long end...this would give me the equivalent of my favourite film lens (Canon 28-105mm) that I loved and used as a walking around lens all the time.

Can anyone recommend a lens with 17-at least 70 that fits the Canon 40D and would be a little faster than the 4-5.6 that the 17-85 has?

Or will the fact that I would have the 40D just give me much better results even if I don't have the 3.5 that I had on the S5?

I am so confused...

 

[PhotobearSam]

This lens looks too good to be true...Why?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SIGMA-DC-17-70M...ryZ30067QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Steve's Girl]

The lens you posted is a f2.8 to f4. So, at the longer end it will be f4. I don't think f4 will be fast enough for a dance recital. I don't know of a lens that is 2.8 throughout the whole range that will give you the range you are looking for. You may need to get two lenses to cover that range if you want 2.8. But, I am not a Canon person. So, hopefully the Canonites will have better info. for you.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I am purchasing a Canon 40D at the end of the months...(I am getting $3500 back on my taxes...Yeah me!!!) and I was looking at getting the 17-85 lens with it...


BUT,
I was at a Dance recital for my niece and I was sitting in the first row with my Canon S5IS and could not get a good shot even with the aperture at 3.5...There was not enough light.

The lens is EF-S 17-85MM f4-5.6 IS USM. Now I am seriously wondering if the 4-5.6 will give me enough speed when taking pcs of her dance recitals or of Ringuette games in an arena...Please tell me what you think.

Also, I really need the 17 end of the lens and I could deal with a minimum of 70 at the long end...this would give me the equivalent of my favourite film lens (Canon 28-105mm) that I loved and used as a walking around lens all the time.

Can anyone recommend a lens with 17-at least 70 that fits the Canon 40D and would be a little faster than the 4-5.6 that the 17-85 has?

Or will the fact that I would have the 40D just give me much better results even if I don't have the 3.5 that I had on the S5?

I am so confused...

Hey, I owed about $3,500 on my taxes. Thanks for the interest free loan!

First, f/5.6 might be fast enough for you. Remember that you couldn't set the ISO nearly as high on the S5 without the picture looking like tinkerbell barfed on it. With the D40, you should be able to use ISO 1600.

I can't personally comment on the seller or the lens for the Sigma deal, but here is a link to user reviews of that lens on Fred Miranda's site. At f/4.5 on the long end, that lens is 2/3 of a stop faster than the f/5.6 lens. That means that the shutter speed would be a bit less than twice as fast wide open (or a bit less than doubling the ISO).

Canon has a 17-55 f/2.8, but that isn't long enough based on your comments. They also make a 24-70 f/2.8, but that's not wide enough.

 

[SueInBoston]

This is my walkaround on my 40D. It's not as long as 70, but it's a very nice lens.

 

[PhotobearSam]

For future Sigma purchases, I will probably only go with the EX series just to get the longer warranty. I'm a little gun-shy about buying another non-EX lens after this experience.

I did not get this. Can anyone explain?

Thanks everyone...

 

[dmccarty]

Depending on how bad/good the lighting is even a 2.8 lens shot wide open might not be fast enough. I tried to take photos at a basketball game with a 50/1.4 shot wide open and ISO set to 1600. That was not fast enough.

Years ago I shot some gymnastic events with film pushed to 1600 using wide open 2.8 lenses. Not enough light. The few decent photos I got where not worth what it cost.

Can you rent a fast lens and try it out?

Later,
Dan

 

[PhotobearSam]

Depending on how bad/good the lighting is even a 2.8 lens shot wide open might not be fast enough. I tried to take photos at a basketball game with a 50/1.4 shot wide open and ISO set to 1600. That was not fast enough.

Years ago I shot some gymnastic events with film pushed to 1600 using wide open 2.8 lenses. Not enough light. The few decent photos I got where not worth what it cost.

Can you rent a fast lens and try it out?

Later,
Dan

There is no place to rent around here...I have called the only shop in town that is not a Big Box store and no go...ALL I can hope is to get the best shots possible with what I will have...

 

[mabas9395]

Get the Canon 85mm f/1.8. It rocks in low light and you won't find many non-L lenses that are sharper.

Doesn't meet many of your requirements, but you will truly love this lens.

 

[DizzyV6P]

The 135 f/2 is on option, but its expensive at around $995 at bhphoto

The 85 f/1.8 is a good option as well. Its perfect for portraits, has beautiful bokeh and reasonably priced at $355 at bhphoto

I use the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, but it might not be long enough for your needs. It's a great walkaround lens and super sharp.

If you want to really splurge, a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS would be perfect. Shoot at 1600 ISO w/ the 40D will give you some great pics w/o a lot of noise. Too bad the lens costs around $1600.

Check out the Canon Rebates as well.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=PromotionsAct&fcategoryid=101

Here's the coupon link:
http://www.usa.canon.com/app/images/promotions/InstReb_camera_may08.pdf

Beyond those offerings, there isn't much else out there that would fit your needs. Like every lens out there, there are trade-offs and only you can figure out how much lens you need to take those recital pics.